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Original poster

To think this attitude to names like Fanny in old books is silly?

210 replies

Carla786 · 28/04/2026 12:49

I've seen posts here agreeing with the new Enid Blyton editions that changed Fanny to Franny and Dick to Rick, some even saying she must have meant it as a double entendre.

 Just seems silly & narrow-minded to me. Not everything was always meant as a double entendre. Should Fanny Price in Mansfield Park also be changed? Or other characters called names that mean different things now?

I remember my mother passed down a minor Blyton book with a kitten called Bimbo in. Was that Blyton being rude, or just due to the fact that Bimbo was slang for 'kid' then?

OP posts:
JudgeJ · 28/04/2026 15:44

EstherGreenwood63 · 28/04/2026 13:01

100% agree. Changing Titty's name in Swallows and Amazons also enrages me! Because people are thick oiks. Annoying af.

That was the one that occurred to me, if people can't cope with old names it says more about them! Will the same pathetic attitude be applied to Karen in future, because someone decided it had an alternative meaning?

BigSkies2022 · 28/04/2026 15:43

Has anyone mentioned Fanny Blood, Mar Wollstonecraft’s great friend?

Wiseplumant · 28/04/2026 15:41

pinkdelight · 28/04/2026 12:51

I dunno, but you have to wonder about Mr Pinkwhistle.

😂

SerafinasGoose · 28/04/2026 15:40

BigSkies2022 · 28/04/2026 15:39

I love Mansfield Park, but it would be a brave exam board that proposed it for GCSE, or even, alas, A-level. ‘It was Fanny all day long and at night, his dreams were all of Fanny.’ ‘0hno! I cannot do without Fanny!’

I liked Fanny Price. I know she's controversial and seen by some as a bit of a damp lettuce. But when the chips were down she was resolute in her morals: despite her Uncle's displeasure she was not about to marry Crawford!

Hermyknee · 28/04/2026 15:40

I have loads of Fannys in my family. All seemed to marry Albert’s too. We’ve Grand old Fanny (she was very grand), Little Fanny, Bad Fanny (she got cautioned for going out and forgetting to shut her curtains during a blackout whilst the embers burnt in the fireplace).

I think it’s a nice sounding name. If I couldn’t say Fanny I wouldn’t be able to talk about my relatives.

However, the Americans saying fannypack rather than bumbag gives me the ick.

BigSkies2022 · 28/04/2026 15:39

I love Mansfield Park, but it would be a brave exam board that proposed it for GCSE, or even, alas, A-level. ‘It was Fanny all day long and at night, his dreams were all of Fanny.’ ‘0hno! I cannot do without Fanny!’

whatwouldlilacerullodo · 28/04/2026 15:39

I'm convinced Willy Wonka is a double entendre

FannyGotobed · 28/04/2026 15:36

I am juvenile enough to have a little smile to myself at names like Fanny and Dick (hence my username which is actually one of my real ancestors - gggg aunt or something) but I am totally against changing them in classic books. Understanding that society changes and books (and I guess now, films/TV) are of their time is important for children to learn. I mean, how many children nowadays are allowed to mess around in boats and go camping all by themselves! The world has changed but we still need to understand our past.
I do think some updates are ok though, like changing the title and wording of "And Then There Were None" from it's original as that's a whole different thing.

Original poster
Carla786 · 28/04/2026 15:33

HelenaWilson · 28/04/2026 15:22

It actually shows the adults as the more childish ones as they're the ones sniggering over it and unable to control themselves

I agree op. It perpetuates the juvenile sniggering, rather than assuming that adults can behave like adults.

My mother had a Great Aunt Fanny who she remembers quite well. Are we not supposed to talk about her, or refer to her by an alternative name that she was never known by in her lifetime?

Titty Walker in Swallows and Amazons was based on a real person, Mavis 'Titty' Altounyan. The nickname is from the story Titty Mouse and Tatty Mouse.

Exactly. It's disrespectful to the many real people who were and are called that.

BTW, thanks for the info. So the characters were based on an Anglo-Armenian family who lived in Syria - very interesting. And the mouse story link is nice too.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-37049314

Mavis Altouyan's niece was understandably angry when the BBC series changed the name!

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/may/24/swallows-and-amazons-titty-renamed-tatty-in-bbc-film#:~:text=Altounyan%2C%20daughter%20of%20the%20real%2Dlife%20Titty's%20younger,risk%20of%20leaving%20audiences%20ignorant%20of%20the

Arthur Ransome with the Altounyan children and their mother Dora. Photo courtesy of Leeds University Library

Swallows and Amazons: The Syria connection

The Walker children in Arthur Ransome's famous book - now a new film - were actually inspired by a family from the Syrian city of Aleppo.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-37049314

OP posts:
HelenaWilson · 28/04/2026 15:22

It actually shows the adults as the more childish ones as they're the ones sniggering over it and unable to control themselves

I agree op. It perpetuates the juvenile sniggering, rather than assuming that adults can behave like adults.

My mother had a Great Aunt Fanny who she remembers quite well. Are we not supposed to talk about her, or refer to her by an alternative name that she was never known by in her lifetime?

Titty Walker in Swallows and Amazons was based on a real person, Mavis 'Titty' Altounyan. The nickname is from the story Titty Mouse and Tatty Mouse.

Original poster
Carla786 · 28/04/2026 15:19

MrsShawnHatosy · 28/04/2026 15:12

Apologies, I must have quoted the wrong post.

Show quote history

That's OK 👍

OP posts:
Original poster
Carla786 · 28/04/2026 15:19

Sunset6 · 28/04/2026 15:12

Next you’ll be telling me you can’t have a character with a cat called Pussy…

Ha, yes all the old fashioned rhymes and stories about 'pussy/puss/pussycat' must ne beyond the pale... Not to mention the references to Miss Marple as an 'old pussy' in the books.

OP posts:
Scorchio84 · 28/04/2026 15:18

yeah maybe the wording raised some flags 😂

Original poster
Carla786 · 28/04/2026 15:17

SkibidiSigma · 28/04/2026 15:13

Very topical for me as we have had hysterics this week as DS has brought a famous 5 book home as his reading book. The first night he was literally crying with laughter at the thought of someone being called Dick - fortunately Fanny has passed him by as he's only 7. I just explained that people had different names in the past. It's also interesting as some of the language is slightly different which is a good talking point. I think it should all stay as it is

That sounds like a good policy- adapting to the book rather than vice versa.

OP posts:
Original poster
Carla786 · 28/04/2026 15:16

Scorchio84 · 28/04/2026 15:14

I don't think they've banned it @Carla786 it's a very innocuous baking picture 😂

No I doubt they banned it but I wondered if maybe their filter caught it for a while just in case...at least, pictures normally go up quicker.

OP posts:
Scorchio84 · 28/04/2026 15:14

SkibidiSigma · 28/04/2026 15:13

Very topical for me as we have had hysterics this week as DS has brought a famous 5 book home as his reading book. The first night he was literally crying with laughter at the thought of someone being called Dick - fortunately Fanny has passed him by as he's only 7. I just explained that people had different names in the past. It's also interesting as some of the language is slightly different which is a good talking point. I think it should all stay as it is

Julian, Dick & Ann, George & Timmy the dog

Scorchio84 · 28/04/2026 15:14

I don't think they've banned it @Carla786 it's a very innocuous baking picture 😂

SkibidiSigma · 28/04/2026 15:13

Very topical for me as we have had hysterics this week as DS has brought a famous 5 book home as his reading book. The first night he was literally crying with laughter at the thought of someone being called Dick - fortunately Fanny has passed him by as he's only 7. I just explained that people had different names in the past. It's also interesting as some of the language is slightly different which is a good talking point. I think it should all stay as it is

MrsShawnHatosy · 28/04/2026 15:12

Carla786 · 28/04/2026 15:08

I know- I didn't mention them in the post? Sorry, but I don't quite understand your point..

Show quote history

Apologies, I must have quoted the wrong post.

Sunset6 · 28/04/2026 15:12

Next you’ll be telling me you can’t have a character with a cat called Pussy…

Original poster
Carla786 · 28/04/2026 15:11

Scorchio84 · 28/04/2026 15:09

Is Fanny short for something? Like Frances maybe?

Also @Carla786 yeah maybe Mumsnet HQ will allow the pic to be posted sometime soon?

Have they banned it? Odd..

Yes, it is short of Frances or Françoise if you're French. Usually it wasn't given just on its own, I don't think?

OP posts:
Original poster
Carla786 · 28/04/2026 15:10

Jc2001 · 28/04/2026 14:06

Its ridiculous is what it is. It feels like you're rewriting history to suit a modern narrative. Even if it is fiction it reflects the values and norms of the time. Even novels are important historical documents.

And it's not filth it's a name. If your grandmother was called Fanny, would you pretend to your children that she was called something else? Or maybe even deny her existence altogether.

It's the opposite of progress.

Edited
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Exactly! It's awful to treat such a common name until quite recently as unmentionable. It's arguably quite arrogant to act like that when until recently it was seen as fine - and changed for no particularly good reason.

OP posts:
Scorchio84 · 28/04/2026 15:09

Is Fanny short for something? Like Frances maybe?

Also @Carla786 yeah maybe Mumsnet HQ will allow the pic to be posted sometime soon?

Original poster
Carla786 · 28/04/2026 15:08

MrsShawnHatosy · 28/04/2026 15:05

Grimms’ fairytales were never meant for children.

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I know- I didn't mention them in the post? Sorry, but I don't quite understand your point..

OP posts:
Original poster
Carla786 · 28/04/2026 15:07

Scorchio84 · 28/04/2026 14:54

@Carla786 Fanny Craddock "may all your donuts turn out like Fanny's"

Oh, I'd like to see that pic!

A few other famous Fannies from Wiki (I'm on a roll!) :
Fanny Kemble - actress
Fanny Elssler - ballerina
Fanny Trollope - writer
Fanny Blankers-Koen - athlete
Fanny Bullock Workman - mountain climber
Fanny Brice - entertainer
Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel - composer
Fanny Brawne - John Keats' muse
Fanny Cochrane Smith - last fluent speaker of Aboriginal Tasmanian

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